Control assembly for electric outboard trolling motor

ABSTRACT

A control assembly for an electric outboard motor having a rotatable tubular column and comprising a first arm pivotally connected to the column and movable about an axis normal to the axis of the column, a second arm connected to the first arm and movable longitudinally relative to the first arm and a control head containing electrical components and pivotally connected to the second arm. Manually operable knobs are provided for locking the relatively moving parts in positions of adjustment.

[ Jan. 21, 1975 United States Patent [1 1 Beierle 74/480 B ll5/l8 E ll5/l8 R mmw 00H 9 3 677 www WNW 57 272 526 6 8 0 575 457 3 13 C R u m ER o e L0 a R N Y% a Ll a B B L 0 C SR n M D LR J 0A n mm m mum C0 m Q N U U [73] Assignee: Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Primary Examiner-Trygve BliX Assistant ExaminerGregory W. OConnor Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Arnstein, Gluck, Weitzenfeld & Minow App]. No.: 417,138

[57] ABSTRACT A control assembly for an electric outboard motor having a rotatable tubular column and com [52] US. Cl..... 115/18 E, 74/480 B, 114/144 R,

prising a 115 35 [51 Int. B6311 21/56 arm Pivotally Connected to the column and WW 115/13 R, 18 E, 18 A able about an axis normal to the axis of the column, a second arm connected to the first arm and movable longitudinally relative to the first arm and a control [58] Field of Search........

114/144 R, 162; 74/471 R, 480 B, 522, 524;

180/77 H, 77 HT, 13

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CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRIC OUTBOARD TROLLING MOTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a control assembly for an electric outboard trolling motor.

Conventional electric outboard trolling motors now widely used are arranged to be mounted on the stem or a bow of a boat and usually include a control handle extending at a right angle in a fixed relation to the tubular column carrying the electric motor. The column is vertically adjustable in relation to a clamp which is detachably mounted on the boat so as to position the motor in proper operating position. Such vertical adjustment of the column correspondingly will elevate or lower the control handle in relation to the gunwale or transom of the boat so that the control handle often may be so positioned as not to be conveniently accessible to the operator particularly, when he is also engaged in fishing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the objects of this invention is the provision of an electric trolling motor which may be mounted on the bow or stern of a boat and which includes a control assembly which is adjustable to a plurality of different attitudes to render the control means more convenient for operation.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a control assembly of the foregoing character having articulated sections which afford a high degree of versatility in adjustment so as to accommodate the control means to a variety of operating conditions.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description when the same is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a control assembly in accordance with my invention and showing the same in one position of operation and attached to the bow of a boat.

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view, partly in cross section, showin g the control head in a different position of operation, and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the control head shown in FIG. 2, partly in cross-section and illustrating in broken lines different positions of operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the motor 10, hollow shaft 11, clamp 12, bearing bushing 13 and clamping collar 14 are of generally conventional construction and form no part of the present invention.

The control assembly of the present invention includes a joint body 16 rigidly mounted on the upper end of the tube 11. The said body is shaped substantially as illustrated in the drawings and includes parallel side walls 17 and 18 connected by a web 19 which extends upwardly from the base of the body 16 and terminates in an edge 19a, as seen clearly in FIG. 3. Thus, there is provided an opening 20 extending along one end of the body 16 from the edge 19a to the shoulder 19b, in close proximity to the base of the body.

An arm 21 generally hollow and rectangular in crosssection has a lower end portion 22 which is generally circular and co-planar with the side walls of the arm. The walls of portion 22 are provided with integral bosses 23 and 24 which are coaxially aligned with the circular portion 22. Said bosses are received in cooperating recesses 26 provided in the walls 17 and 18 of the body 16. A screw 27 provided with a knob 28 is received in a threaded opening in the side wall 17 and is disposed coaxially with the bosses 23 and 24. It will be seen that arm 21 extends through the opening 20 and is rockable about the axis of the bosses 23 and 24 within the limits defined by the shoulders 19a and 19b. The arm 21 may be adjusted to any position within said limits and locked in a position of adjustment by tightening ofthe screw 27. As seen in FIG. 2, the lower portion 22 of the arm 21 is provided with a slot 29 on the side which registers with the opening 20.

Telescopically received in the distal end of the arm 21 is an extension arm 31 which is hollow and generally rectangular in cross-section but reduced in size so as to fit snugly within the arm 21. As seen in FIG. 3 a side wall of the arm 31 is provided with a longitudinally extending relief 32 which terminates short of the ends of arm 31. The relief 32 is disposed medially of the side wall and cooperates with a screw 33 provided with a hand engaging knob 34. It will be seen that the extension arm 31 may be moved longitudinally relative to arm 21 within the limits of the relief 32 and locked in any desired position of adjustment by turning of the screw 33.

A control head 36 containing conventional control components 37 and 38 and manually operable knobs 37a and 38a is provided with a pair of spaced extensions 39 which embrace the end of the arm 31. A screw provided with a knob 41 passes through the extensions and the end of arm 31 and affords means for pivotally adjusting and locking the head 36 relative to the arm As seen in FIG. 1, a pair of battery cables 43 extend through the opening 20 and through the interiors of the arms 21 and 31 and are connected at their terminals to the electrical components 37 and 38. Other electrical conductors, not shown, are passed from the control head 36 through the arms 21 and 31 and column 11 to the motor 10.

In operation the complete unit as shown in FIG. 1 is attached either to the bow or transom of a boat and clamp thereto by the clamp 12. The position of the motor 10 in relation to the water and the boat is adjusted by moving the column 11 vertically and locking the same in a position of adjustment by the collar 14. The control assembly may now be adjusted to the particular convenience of the operator by rocking the arms 21 and 31 to a desired position and locking the same by turning knob 28. The arm 31 may be adjusted in relation to arm 21 and locked in a position of adjustment by turning knob 34. The final adjustment is made by rocking the control head to a desired position and locking it in such position by turning knob 41. Thus, it will be seen that the control assembly of my invention affords a variety of adjustments to accommodate the assembly to a variety of conditions of operation for maximum efficiency and convenience.

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art; hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. in an electric outboard motor including a rotatable tubular column adapted to be clamped to a boat and having a depending motor and propeller adapted to be driven by a source of electric power, the improvement which includes a control assembly comprising a first arm pivotally connected to said column for pivotal movement about an axis normal to the axis of the column, means for locking said first arm in a position of adjustment relative to said column, a second arm connected to said first arm and movable longitudinally relative to said first arm, means for locking said first and second arms in a position of adjustment, a control head containing electrical control components and pivotally connected to said second arm and means for locking said head in a position of adjustment relative to said second arm.

2. In an electric outboard motor including a rotatable tubular column adapted to be clamped to a boat and having a depending motor and propeller adapted to be driven by a source of electric power, the improvement which includes a control assembly comprising a joint body fixed on the upper end of said tubular column, said body including a pair of spaced side walls, a first hollow arm having an enlarged end portion received between said spaced side walls and pivotally movable about an axis transverse to the axis of said column. means for locking said arm to said joint body in a position of adjustment, a second hollow arm in telescopic relation to said first arm and longitudinally movable relative thereto, means for locking said arms in a position of adjustment, :1 control head containing electrical control components and pivotally connected to said second arm, and means for locking said control head to said second arm in a position of adjustment.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 including electrical conductors received in said arms. 

1. In an electric outboard motor including a rotatable tubular column adapted to be clamped to a boat and having a depending motor and propeller adapted to be driven by a source of electric power, the improvement which includes a control assembly comprising a first arm pivotally connected to said column for pivotal movement about an axis normal to the axis of the column, means for locking said first arm in a position of adjustment relative to said column, a second arm connected to said first arm and movable longitudinally relative to said first arm, means for locking said first and second arms in a position of adjustment, a control head containing electrical control components and pivotally connected to said second arm and means for locking said head in a position of adjustment relative to said second arm.
 2. In an electric outboard motor including a rotatable tubular column adapted to be clamped to a boat and having a depending motor and propeller adapted to be driven by a source of electric power, the improvement which includes a control assembly comprising a joint body fixed on the upper end of said tubular column, said body including a pair of spaced side walls, a first hollow arm having an enlarged end portion received between said spaced side walls and pivotally movable about an axis transverse to the axis of said column, means for locking said arm to said joint body in a position of adjustment, a second hollow arm in telescopic relation to said first arm and longitudinally movable relative thereto, means for locking said arms in a position of adjustment, a control head containing electrical control components and pivotally connected to said second arm, and means for locking said control head to said second arm in a position of adjustment.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 2 including electrical conductors received in said arms. 